Storm, hail, and ice dam water damage in Denver is what most people mean when they search for disaster restoration: a large weather event, a damaged roof, and water inside the house. Call (303) 951-9176 to get connected with local help for water removal, drying, and cleanup after a storm.
Hail Country
The Front Range gets more than its share of severe hail. The May 8, 2017 hailstorm across the Denver area was reported to cause about 2.3 billion dollars in insured losses, the costliest catastrophe in Colorado history at the time and more than double the previous state record. It generated well over 100,000 homeowners claims. Storms like that are the reason so many local roofs are on their second or third round of replacement, and why homeowners insurance here often carries a separate hail or wind deductible.
Hail does not always cause a leak on the day it hits. Bruised shingles, cracked tiles, and damaged flashing can let water in months later, and a leak may not show up until the next heavy rain or a snow melt, when a stain appears on a ceiling far from where the roof was actually damaged.
Ice Dams: Snow and Heat at Work
An ice dam forms when heat escaping from the house warms the roof, melts snow on the upper roof, and lets the water run down until it refreezes at the colder eaves. The ridge of ice that builds up traps more meltwater behind it, and that water can back up under shingles and into the attic and walls. Denver’s pattern of heavy snow followed by sunny, milder days is well suited to the problem. Signs include icicles along the eaves, stains on ceilings and along exterior walls, peeling paint near the top of walls, and damp attic insulation.
Other Ways Storm Water Gets In
- Wind-driven rain entering around windows, doors, vents, and skylights
- Failed or clogged gutters that overflow against the walls
- Roof flashing around chimneys and additions that has worn or shifted
- Basement window wells and doors during heavy rain or rapid snowmelt
- Trees or branches that punctured the roof in high wind
What “Disaster Restoration” Means
Disaster restoration is a broad term for recovery after a major event. In practice, a storm loss often involves several trades at once: a roofer for the exterior, water removal and drying for the interior, and reconstruction for what cannot be saved. The key for the water side is speed and sequence. Water that entered through the roof has to be dried, and the roof has to be closed before the same rain or snow comes back in.
Your First Hour After Storm Damage
- Make the area safe: keep away from sagging ceilings and downed wires, and shut off power to any room with water near fixtures if you can do so safely.
- Photograph the roof damage from the ground, if safe, and all interior damage.
- Do not climb onto a wet or damaged roof.
- Move belongings out of the wet area and place buckets under drips.
- Call your insurer, and call for help with a temporary cover and water removal.
How Storm Water Damage Is Handled
Stop more water from entering
A temporary tarp or cover is placed over the opening so new rain or snow does not keep coming in.
Remove water and wet materials
Standing water is removed, and soaked insulation and ceiling drywall that will not dry are taken out.
Dry the structure
Attic, ceilings, and walls are dried with readings checked over several days. See mitigation and drying.
Repair the roof
The roof is repaired or replaced by a roofing contractor once the claim scope is settled.
Rebuild the interior
Insulation, drywall, paint, and flooring are replaced. See water damage repair.
Attics and Insulation
Storm water tends to soak the attic first. Wet insulation loses its effectiveness, holds moisture against roof framing, and can start growing mold. Blown-in and fiberglass insulation that has been saturated is usually removed, and the attic framing is dried before new insulation goes in. Because water travels along rafters and down inside walls, a stain in one room can point to a wet area much larger than it looks, which is why moisture mapping matters.
Temporary Repairs and Why They Matter
Most policies expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage after a loss, and a tarp or temporary patch is usually the first of those steps. A temporary cover keeps new rain or snow out while the claim is reviewed and materials are ordered. Keep receipts for tarps, boards, and labor, and photograph the roof before and after they go on. Roof work in Colorado weather can also be delayed by snow, wind, or freezing temperatures, so a good temporary cover often needs to hold longer than expected.
Skylights, Chimneys, and Other Weak Points
Water follows the easiest path, and on a roof that path is usually a penetration. Skylights, chimneys, plumbing vents, and additions all have flashing that can loosen with age, hail, and repeated freeze-thaw. A leak that appears near one of these points is often a flashing problem rather than a broken shingle. When water comes through around a skylight or chimney, ask that the surrounding framing and insulation be checked for moisture as well as the visible stain.
Storm Damage in Condos, Townhomes, and Older Buildings
In attached homes and condominiums, the roof usually belongs to the association, so the first call is to management, who arrange the exterior repair and file on the master policy. Water that reaches an individual unit is still your concern: interior finishes, contents, and additional living expenses are commonly covered by the owner’s own policy. Older buildings with flat or low-slope roofs, parapets, and aging drains can leak repeatedly in the same spots, so keep a record of past leaks and repairs to help with claims and maintenance.
Hail Claims and Insurance
Hail coverage is one of the most complicated parts of a Colorado homeowners policy. Some policies use a separate percentage deductible for wind and hail, some pay for roofs on a depreciation schedule or on an actual cash value basis, and some exclude cosmetic damage. Interior water damage from a storm opening is usually handled as part of the same claim. Report the loss promptly, photograph the damage before repairs, keep a record of temporary repair costs, and read your policy’s wind and hail provisions. Be careful of any contractor who pressures you to sign quickly or who promises to cover your deductible.
Preventing Ice Dams and Storm Leaks
- Air-seal and insulate the attic so less heat reaches the roof deck
- Keep gutters and downspouts clear so meltwater has a path
- Have flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights inspected before storm and winter seasons
- Check the roof and attic after hail, even if no leak has appeared yet
- Trim branches that could fall on the roof in high wind
What Affects the Cost
Cost depends on how many rooms are affected, how much insulation and drywall must be removed, whether structural framing is wet, and how much drying and rebuilding are needed. Roofing work is a separate scope from the interior water work. Scope and pricing are discussed before work begins.
Storm and Hail Water Damage Across Denver
Storm, hail, and ice dam water damage help is available across Denver, including Park Hill, Capitol Hill, Washington Park, the Highlands, and Central Park. For flooding at ground level, see basement flooding and flood restoration, or return to the overview of water damage restoration in Denver.